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Patriotic Front political leader Mickela Panday has questioned the reasoning behind a fresh reassignment of responsibilities among several Government ministers, arguing that the changes raise questions about how portfolios and major state functions are being allocated. In a statement, Panday stressed that she regarded the changes as a Cabinet “realignment” rather than a reshuffle, before detailing several of the responsibilities transferred among ministers. The changes took effect from September 30, 2026, with a number of ministerial responsibilities reassigned across the Cabinet. Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein was assigned responsibility for the Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme, the Housing and Village Improvement Programme and Hydrographic Surveys. He also received responsibility for Caroni (1975) Limited, Golden Grove Buccoo Limited, Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprises Limited, Rincon Development Limited, Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited, the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Committee, Taurus Services Limited and TRINTOC Services Limited. Housing Minister Dr David Lee was assigned responsibility for the Home Improvement Policy and Oropune Project, while Vandana Mohit, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, received responsibility for the National Commission for Self-Help Limited. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge was assigned National Emergency and Disaster Management, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the National Emblems Committee and National Mentorship Programme. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander was assigned responsibility for the management of illegal immigrants and deportees. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo was assigned responsibility for the Agricultural Development Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. Rural Development and Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen received responsibility for Insect Vector, while Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath was assigned the On-the-Job Training programme. Several responsibilities were also removed from existing portfolios. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is no longer responsible for the Home Improvement Policy, Housing and Village Improvement Programme, Government Aided Self-Help Housing Programme, Golden Grove Buccoo Limited, National Commission for Self-Help Limited and the Oropune Project. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ravi Ratiram lost responsibility for Hydrographic Surveys, Palo Seco Agricultural Enterprises Limited, the Agricultural Development Bank and Rincon Development Limited. Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal is no longer responsible for TRINTOC Services Limited, while Tancoo no longer has responsibility for Caroni (1975) Limited, Sugar Manufacturing Company Limited and Taurus Services Limited. Responsibility for disaster management and the ODPM also moved from Alexander to Sturge, while responsibility for illegal immigrants and deportees moved from Sturge to Alexander. Responding to the changes, Panday questioned what considerations were being used when assigning responsibilities within the Government. She asked whether experience, expertise and performance were determining factors, while suggesting that the public should closely examine how major responsibilities are being distributed. Panday ended her statement by telling citizens that “time will tell” what factors ultimately determine advancement and responsibility within the Government.
